If it’s a rare opportunity to meet a high-ranking diplomat like an Ambassador, it’s even more rare and wonderful to receive an invitation by an Ambassador and his wife to have afternoon tea at their home.
This was exactly what four GESS students – Aliyah, Mila, Isabella and Lara – and myself experienced in 2022.
You may be thinking how did such a rare and beautiful opportunity even happen? Well, we were really surprised ourselves upon receiving the invitation from Dr. Norbert Riedel and his wife!
It all started with the phenomenon that is the Berlin Buddy Bear. Representing unity in diversity and peace, this creative initiative originating in Germany made its way to Singapore at GESS.
Initially, GESS students were asked to paint a Berlin Buddy Bear as a gift for the German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier‘s visit to Singapore in June 2022.
Turned out everyone loved our bright green Buddy Bear creation. What we did not expect was to have it later on gifted to GESS by Mr. Steinmeier himself!
Adding on to the honour accorded to GESS, it was brought to our attention in November 2022 that this first green Buddy Bear caught the eye of the German Ambassador to Singapore, Dr. Norbert Riedel so much that he requested for another Berlin Buddy Bear to be painted by GESS students – to be placed at his residence. Wow!!!
As we started on this awesome creative goal to plan, design, and research symbolic motifs of a Europe and Singapore theme showing the friendship of country alliance, we were also distracted by having no idea at all how ‘this’ Buddy Bear would turn out, wondering if it may end up like one of those creepy weird-looking garden gnomes! Of course, we couldn’t let that happen, and quietly, my students and I collaborated on our creation for about 3 weeks.
Thankfully, the result was well received by Dr. Riedel and his wife, who totally love our Berlin Buddy Bear for them. And that was how we were invited to their home for afternoon tea, as a gesture of their apprecation to GESS.
Dr. Riedel was a treasure trove of interesting stories and insights, openly and warmly sharing anecdotes and knowledge, like where and how the pretzel shape came about in medieval times.
Dr. Riedel also shared a story about how he used to work in a family bakery as a young boy and told us the secret way how doughnuts would be filled without a visible hole so that no one could know the flavour inside. After attentively listening to this story, we all tried to find the chocolate-filled doughnut amongst the marmalade and strawberry-filled ones on the table.
Dr. Riedel was also delighted in expressing his pride about having his own afternoon tea with Germany’s iconic Berlin Buddy Bear, just like how the late Queen Elizabeth II had hers with the famous Paddington Bear. We all agreed both experiences are epic and memorable!
Our heartfelt gratitude to both Dr. and Mrs Riedel for their sweet hospitality, time and appreciation. The five of us loved our afternoon with them both and here are what the students have to say!
Mila: It was wonderful working in an environment in which we could all support one another. We all understood one another and had the freedom and commitment to help and offer suggestions where needed. Ms. Singh was the base of our whole project, open to all our ideas and steering the project productively. It was nice working with a teacher we admire and like so much. We were all very thankful to be allowed the amazing opportunity of visiting Dr. Riedel at his beautiful home!
Isabella: It was such an honour to be invited to Dr. Riedel’s home and to be part of designing a Buddy Bear. I remember coming after school to my art teacher Ms. Singh and painting as a team – I feel honored to be part of this opportunity which came about from my passion in painting. It was a wonderful experience to be able to meet Dr. Riedel! He was very nice and was also interested in getting to know us better. I have a very good impression of our German Ambassador.
Aliyah: When Ms. Singh asked us whether we would want to help create the Buddy Bear, we were immediately excited to do so. The whole project was a heartwarming adventure and seeing the final outcome caused a flood of emotions. After saying goodbye to our beloved Buddy Bear creation, we received an invitation from the German Ambassador and his wife. This left us speechless, as we expected nothing in return for our work; it was just the icing on the cake for us!
Lara: This is an experience I will never forget for the rest of my life! Maybe because Dr. Riedel has children, he made us feel so comfortable! We each received a gift pack of chocolate cakes to take home. He was just SO nice!
Authors:
Ronita Singh, Aliyah Boekenholt, G9, Isabella Wolf, G, Mila Brendenkamp, G9b, Lara Phillips G8.
